RUMINANT QUADRUPEDS. 349 



above the ground. It is a common mistake, arising from 

 the height of these joints, and the names they bear in ordi- 

 nary language, to consider them as the knees of the animal. 

 The slightest inspection of the skeleton will be suflicient to 

 show that what is called the knee in the fore leg is properly 

 the wrist; and in the hind leg, the part so misnamed is re- 

 ally the heel. Thus, the foot, especially in the posterior ex- 

 tremity, is of great length; a structure which is evidently 

 intended to give greater velocity to the actions of the mus- 

 cles, while it at the same time ensures the utmost steadiness 

 and security of motion. 



At the lower extremity of the cannon bone there are two 

 articular surfaces, indicating the originally separate ends of 

 its two component bones. They are for the articulation of 

 the two following bones, which are also very long, and which 

 correspond in situation to the first phalanges of the fino-ers 

 and toes. These are followed by a second and third set of 

 phalanges ; the last of which terminate in hoofs. All rumi- 

 nant quadrupeds have thus a double hoof; a character which 

 is peculiar to this family. 



Thus, then, has Nature moulded the organs of progressive 

 motion in this^-emarkable tribe of animals to accommodate 

 them to the peculiar conditions of their existence, while she 

 has still preserved their relations to the primitive type of 

 the class to which they belong. Thus has she bestowed 

 upon them the slender and elegant forms, so pleasing to the 

 eye, which characterize the fleetest racer, and has provided 

 for the agile, yet firm and secure movements which they are 

 to exercise in various ways in eluding the observation, and 

 escaping from the pursuit of their stronger and more saga- 

 cious foes. This purpose they efiect, at one time by rapid 

 flight across extensive tracts of country; at another, by re- 

 tirement into unfrequented forests, or mountains of difficult 

 access, crossing their rugged surfaces in all directions, clam- 

 bering their precipitous acclivities, and fearlessly bounding 

 over intervening abysses, from point to point, till the place 

 of safety is attained on some rocky eminence. From this 



